The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and endothelin receptor (ETA) blocker (BQ 123) on the content of white blood cells in the peripheral blood of rat.
Material and methods: Experiments were performed on Wistar rats divided into following groups: group I (control) received saline; group II (ET-1) received endothelin-1 (3 microg/kg b.w.); group III (BQ 123) received ETA receptor blocker (1 mg/kg b.w.); group IV (BQ 123+ET-1) received BQ 123 (1 mg/kg b.w) and 30 minutes later ET-1 (3 microg/kg b.w.). Peripheral blood was collected from animals at three time intervals to determine the content of white blood cells using a hematology analyzer MICROS OT 45.
Results: Administration of ET-1 resulted in a statistically significant increase in the concentration of white blood cells after 1 hour after administration, compared with the control group. Contrast, administration of a specific blocker of ETA (BQ 123) reduced the leukocyte content after 1 and 5 hours after administration of ET-1.
Conclusion: Intravenous administration of ET-1 significantly increased the content of white blood cells in peripheral blood of rat via the ETA receptor since reversed its blockage caused the change.